Burkina Faso is reportedly holding eleven Nigerian military personnel after accusing them of illegally breaching the airspace of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The detained troops were intercepted by Burkinabe authorities following what officials described as an unauthorized entry into their sovereign airspace.
According to emerging reports, Burkina Faso has launched a formal investigation into the incident, claiming the Nigerian troops failed to obtain the required diplomatic and military clearance before their aircraft entered AES-controlled airspace. The development comes at a time of heightened regional tension, especially between ECOWAS-aligned states and the AES bloc—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Nigerian military authorities have yet to issue a full statement, but diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway to secure the safe release of the detained personnel. The incident has raised concerns about escalating geopolitical friction in West Africa, with analysts warning that such confrontations could further deepen regional security challenges.
More updates are expected as negotiations and clarifications continue.